Meter connection-block.



G. E. PALMER. METER CONNECTION BLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED 001214, 1910.

Patented May 23, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

al fra/f G. PALMER. METER CONNEGTION BLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 14, 1910.

. 993,09QLI -Pate1:ff;ed1v1ay23, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

.I UNITED stri-iras u12g/criaitrr creteil.

GRANVILLE E; PALMER, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

METER CONNECTION-moon.

Specification of vLetters Platent.y

Application filed October 14, 1910. Serial No. 587.012.

' To all 'whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, GRANVILLn E. PALMER, 4

' nections.

It further has for its object. to provide a combined fuse and connection block suitable it'or use with three-wire meters in which 'the potential coil is connected at one end tothe neutrali main.

'llhe following is a description ot the embodiment of my invention, ret'erence being had to the accompanying drawings in whichy Figure l is a plan view ot the simplest 'form ot' my invention, the same being a block suitable for use witheither two-wire meters or with three-wire meters, in which the potential coil is connected across the two outside mains, the short circuiting connector and test circuit terminal plugl being shownI in dotted lines. Fig. Q is a view o t the top side of this block looking toward the tot) thereof with the sh'ort circuiting eontjcctm', and the test circuit terminal plug' applied thereto. and shown in full lines. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the lines w-af Figs. l and 2 with the spring` conductors disconnected. Fig'. 4 is a longitudjnal section of thel test circuit teri'ninalfjjlug. jlfig. 5 is a longitudinal section ot vth'e short circ-uiting connector. Fig. t5 is a longitildinal section of a supplemental connecting member used with the block 1n connection with a` threewire meter whose potential-'coil has one oi its ends connected with the neutral main. Fig. 7 is a perspective Viewv ot' a supplemental block used with block ot' Fig. l in connection with such three-wire meters.

Fig. 8 is a plan View showing` diagrammatically the circuit connections when the block is used for testing two-wire meters, or full potential three-Wire meters. Fig. 9 .is a

plan view of the block of Fig. 1 together with the supplen'lental block ot Fig. 7, with the plug and connectors ot' Figs. 4, 5 and 6 (shown t'liagrammatically) applied thereto .tor testing three-wire meters whose potential coils are connected with the neutral main.

Referring more particularlv to the drawings, l is a. base of slate.. soap-.stone or other similar suitable insulating material having tive projecting ridges, :2 forming between them depressed channels 9.. ln these channels and adjacent to one end of the base are mounted four termimtls 3, the same being preferably in a straight row and constituting the first series ot' terntinals. ln these saine channels adjacent to the other end oi the base are mounted :four terminals 4, the same being preferably in a straight row and constituting the seeo'nd series of terminals. llach ot' the terminals 2l and 4t has a similar lnojecting 4blade or contact. surface 5, and on each side o't' cach of said contact surfaces, is a screw clip: t are the inner clips; (3 are the outer clipsl ot the two left hand terminals ot` the tirst -series. (S2 are the outer clips ot' the two right hand terminals ofthe first series and tl are the outer clips of the terminals ot the second series. The two tern'riinals in each ot the depressed channels constitute a pair. 'Fliese terminals ot the two pair on one halt" ot' the block are connected by VFuses T. 'lhe two pair on the other halt' of the block are each connected together by conductors S. preferably copper, the :tuses 7 and comluctors S being secured h v the clips on the inner ends ot the terminals il and Ll. The conductors S are ol spring material and the clip screws securing the same pass theret'luougll. The said screws have their Shanks slightly reduced close to their heatls.l 'lfhe holes Vin the eonducltors'S through l"which the screws pass, are

'just large enough tev permit the screwthreaded portions ot the screws tobe screwed theretlu'ough, the result being that reduced portions of the screws titloosely within the holes so that conductors 8 are alvays free to rise up against the under side, 105

ot' the screw-heads, and the screws themselves` will be retained within the holes of the conductors even when out of engagement with the terminals #t (Fig. 3). The spring action ot the, cond actors S is such that when the screws passing through the upper ends thereof are disengaged from the terminals 4:,

PatentedMay 23,1911, Y

'insulating member the upperends 'of theconductors will automatically withdraw from the terminals 4 so that the conductors and their upper retaining screws will be automatically separated therefrom, as shown in Fig. 3.

9 is a short circuiting connector consisting of an insulated body made up of three sections, 10, 11 and 12 (Figs. 2 and 5). To the lower lsection are secured two metallic inverted U- shaped blades or terminals 13 secured by screws 14 to plates 15, which are electrically connected together by a fuse 16 Within a recess of the member 11. This fuse 16 is covered by a removable cover 17, so as to be suitably inclosed. On top of the insulation 11 are secured -two conducting members 18 terminating at their lower ends in inverted U-shaped terminals 19, and connected at their upper ends by a fuse 20. The 12 fits upon the top of the insulatin member 11, so as to inclose the upper en s of the members 18, and also inclose-the fuse 20. This short circuiting member when in operative position, I as shown in dots in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Fig. 2, has its U-shaped terminals 19 in engagement with the similar contact surv faces upon the two outer terminals of the first series as shown in Fig. 3, and its U- shaped lterminals 13 in engagement with the similar contact surfaces of the two inner terminals 3 of the first series for the purpose hereinafter stated.

21 is a test circuit Jrerminal plugshown in sectional detail in Fig. 4 consisting of a bo'dy of insulation to which are secured two U-shaped blades or terminals 22, which are insulated from each other and electrically connected to plates 23, carrying binding posts 24. This terminal plug when in operative position has its U-shaped terminals 22 in engagement with the cont-act surfaces Aof the terminals 4 of the second series, to which the conductors 8 are connected, as shown in dots in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Figs. 2 and 3, and diagrammatically in Figs. 8 and 9, 2 and 3 for the purposes hereinafter stated.

When in normal use the line wires are connected to the clips 6 6, and the load wires are connected to the clips 62 62. The four terminals of the meter 25 are connected as shown to the clips 63 of the upper series of terminals, .as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. It will-be seen with these connections the fuses are interposed betweenl the meter and the ine.

When it is desired to ltest the meter, the short circuit-ing connector of Fig. 5 is applied to the block, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so as to connect the two outside terminals of the first series together, and the two inside terminals of the first series together, and thereby short circuiting the meter and by the fuses 16 and 20, fusing both sides of the load circuit independently of the fuses 7, 7. The screw clips connecting-the upper ends of t-he conductors 8 are then loosened until t'he conductors 8 are removed from their second series terminals, as shown in Fig. 3. The test terminal plug is then applied to the contact surfaces of the terminals from which the terminals 8 have just been removed, and the test circuit 26being connected to the terminals22, 22 is thereby placed -inl series with theseries coil of the meter 25. Tf desired the test plug may be applied before the spring conductors 8 are disconnected, either coursel being permissible. Vith the parts so arranged the tests may be completed, and after the test, the circuit can be restored 'to normal condition by retracing the steps above enumerated.

, The connections for a full potential threewire meter, that is, a three-wire meter with the .potential coil across the outsidemains, is the same, the neutral wire being disregardedfor testing purposes. As is well understood, however, the test circuits must be of proper voltages.

When used with half'potential three-wirev meters (in which the potential coil is connected to the neutral wire) I use a supplemental block 26, (Figs. 7 and 9) having a ridge 26 and two supplemental terminals 27, 27 provided respectively with supplemental contact surfaces or blades'28, 28, and with two 'clips 29 o'n opposite sides of each surface 28, 28. These terminals are connected by a fuse 30 connected to the innercli-ps 29. his supplemental block is secured adjacent to one side of the regular block, as shown in Fig. 9, one of the supplemental terminals being in line with the first series of terminals and the other supplement-al terminal being in line with the second series of terminals.l The potential coil of the meter is connected to the outer clip of the supplemental terminal inline with the second series of terminals, and the neutral main 1s connected with the vouter 'clip of the supplemental terminal in line with the first series of terminals.v The other connections for the line and load circuits and for the meter are the same as above described in connection with- Fig. 8',

l/Vhen it is desired to test a meter 25, with the connection shown in Fig. 9, the short circuiting connector is firstapplied as above described. One of the fuses 7 is then dis-` connected from one of its terminals. The connecting member 31 of Fig. 6 is then applied to the supplemental contact s rfaces 28', and the contact surface of the te minal from which a fuse 7 has been disconn cted, thereby connecting `the meter coil. with the neutral main through the fuse 30. The test connection. plug is then applied, as above described, the two conductors 8 being disconnected from their second series terminals immediately after the short circuitingg,- cone nector has been applied to the first series ter- Ynina-ls. lith this arrangement the two series'coils ofthe meter, both properly fused, placed in series with the testing circuit, so as to be in proper relation for test. After the test is completed, the connecting member is first removed, and thereupon the i'uses 7 and conductors 8 are .returned to their places, and the test plug removed. Thereafter the short circuiting member is removed from the first series of terminals, thus restoring the circuits to normal condition. The procedure in testing t.\vo\\'ire meters and three-iviie full potential nicterst'without the supplemental block) precisely the same,-and as the connections are all exposed, it is easy to see what is beingr done. The saine steps are performed in testing' threewire halt potential meters of'hcre the supplen'iental block is used,` there being in addition two simple steps in making the test. The iflesired. simplicity and uniformity of procedure is, therefore, attained.

./Vhere the line wires come lfrom the right and the load wires trm the lef't, the 4fuses 7 are shifted to the two right hand channels and the conductors S to the two leit hand channels to avoid crossing' ot' conductors.

`suitable extra screwthreaded holes being i provided Where the fuses andronductors are ojf different lengt-hs. lVhere in such case n the supplemental block isI used it also is put l on 'tee right of the block 7, the two similarl supplemental terminals permitting' it. to be turned end tor end so as 'to bring' itspi'ojcction on the outside and yet havingh a contact surface.bearing" teri'ninal in line with `the second series ot' terminals.

, vVarious modifications ot the cn'ilanliment" of .my invention may loe made without de partn'ig.;- `from its spirit, or 'trom the sub; ect

'matter claimed herein, as will he evident to The vforms shown those skilled in the art. are, however, the preferred forms for test ina` meters oit thc several types referred to. VWhat l claim is z-e i ifln a device of the character described, the i'zombination o'f an insulatingv base, a first series oit' tour terminals mounted thereon adjacent to one end. thereof, a second series ot' tour terminals mounted on .said base adjacent ,to its opposite end, said terminals of raid first serres having projecting contact surfaces. and each terminal oit' both series having tivo coz'incctionclips, two iuscs connected to clips on each, of two pairs of terminals respectively, and two spring Conductors connected to clips on each ot' the other pairs oli' tcri'niuals respectively, said contact surfaces being between the said clips on their respective terminals.

2. 'In a. device ot the character described, the comhimition of an insulating base, a first Ipairs ort terminals respectively, said fuses being on one part ot said block and said springconductors on the other part thereof.

3. .ln a device o'f the character described, the combination oi' an insulating base, a first series of four terminals mounted thereon adjacent to one end thereof, a second series ot' four terminals mounted on said base adjacent to its opposite end, said terminals of said first series having,` contact surfaces, and each terminal ot' both series havingr two connection clips, tivo fuses connected to clips on cach of' two pairs ot' terminals respectively, and two conductors connected to clips on cach ol' the otherpairs'of terminals respectively, said base having four depressed channels within each of which one pair of said terminals is located.

et. ln a device ot' the character described, the combination oft an insulating base, a first series of :tour terminals mounted thereon adjacent. to one end thereof", a second series of four terminals mounted Ion said base adjacent to its opposite end, said terminals of said first series having contact surfaces, and each terminal ot both series having' two connection clips, two fuses connected to clips on each of two pairs of terminals respectively, and `two spring,Y conductors connected to clips on each ot' thc other pairs ot ter-- minals` rtazpiwtively, said t'uscs being on one side of said base. and said spring conductors being on the other side thereof, said base l'iaving iour depressed channels, in each of which is located one pair of said terminals.

In a device ot the cha actor described, the combination of an insulatingr base, a first series ot t'our terminals mounted `thereon adjacent to one end thereof, a second series ot' l'our terminals mounted on said base adjacent to its opposite end, said terminals ol" said first series having contact surfaces, and each terminal of both series having two connection clips. two fuses connected toclips on each ot' tuvo pairs of terminals respectively, and two conductors connected` to clips on each of the other pairs of terminals re-A i c series of four terminals mounted thereon adl jacent toene end thereof, a second series of series of four terminals mounted thereon adjacent to one end thereof, a second series of four terminals mounted on said base adjacent to its opposite end, said terminals of said irst series having contact surfaces, and each terminal of both series having two connection clips, two fuses connected to clips on each of two pairs of terminals respectively, and two conductors connected to clips on each of the other pairs of terminals respectively, said fuses being'on one side of said base, and the conductors on the other side and the terminals of said second series also having contact surfaces.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of an insulating base, a first series of four terminals mounted thereon adjacent to one -end thereof, a second series 'if four terminalsmounted on said base cent to its opposite end,said terminals of said first series having contact surfaces, and each Lerminal of both series having two connection clips, two fuses connected to clips on each of two pairs of terminals respectively, two conductors connected to clips on each of the other pairs of terminals respectively, said fuses L)eing on one side, of said base, and the con- 'luctors on the other side, and the terminals of said second series also having cdntact surfaces, a supplemental. base and two supplemental terminals thereon, one of said supplemental terminals having a contact surface, adjacent 'to one of the contact surfaces of one of said second series terminals to which a fuse is connected, and a fuse connecting said supplemental terminals.

9. 1n a device of the character described, the combination of an insulating base, a first series of four terminals mounted thereon ad# jacent to one end thereof, a second'series of four terminals mounted on said base adjacent t0 its opposite end, said terminals of said rst series having contact surfaces, and

leach terminal of both series having two connection clips, two fuses connected to clips on each of two pairs of terminals respectively, and two conductors connected to clips on cach of the other pairs of terminals respectively, said fuses being on one side of said base, and the conductors on the other side, and the terminals of said Second series also having contact surfaces, a supplemental base and two supplemental terminals thereon, in line with said two series of terminals respectively, each of said supplemental terminals being provided with a contact surface and two clips, anda fuse connecting said supplemental terminals.

10. In a device the combination of an insulating base, a first series of four terminals mounted thereon adjacent to one end thereof, a second series of four terminals mounted on said base adjacent to its opposite end, said terof the character described,

minals of said first series having contact suru faces, and each ,terminal of both series having two connection clips, two fuses connected to clips on each of two pairs of terminals respectively and two conductors connected to clipson each of the' other pairs of terminals respectively, and a re- -movable connector having two insulated conductors, each engaging two different Contact surfaces on said first series of terminals. v l

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of an insulating base, a first series of four terminals mounted thereon adjacent to one end thereof, a second series of four terminals mounted on said base adjacent to its opposite end, said terminals of said first series having contact surfacesfan'd each terminal of both series having two connection clips, two fuses connected to clips on each of two pairs of terminals respectively, two separable conductors connected to clips on each of the other pairs of terminals respectively, the terminals of the said second series to which said conductors are connected each having contact surfaces, a removable connector having two insulated conductors each engaging two different contact` surfaces on said' first series of terminals, af test plug having two terminals thereon insulated from .one another and en- Igaging the 'contact surfaces of'the two second series terminals to which said separable conductors are connected, and a test. circuit having its ends connected to the terminals on said test plug.

1Q. In a device of the character described, the combination of an insulating base, a irst series of four terminals mounted thereon adjacent to one endthereof, a second series of four terminals mounted on said base adjacent to its opposite end, said terminals of said first series having contactsurfaces, and each terminal of both series having two connection clips, .t-wo fuses adapted to'bc connected to clips on each of two pairs of terminals respectively, two separable conductors adapted to be connected to clips on each of the other pairs of ing a Contact surface, a removable connectorl sepa 'able conductors are adapted to he conneetod and a removable clip eleetrically connecting said supplemental terminal eontact surface and an adjacent Contact surface on a terminal of said second se n 13. In a device of the character described, the combination of an insulating hase, a, firstseries of four terminals mounted there on adjacent to one end thereof, a second series ol four terminals mounted on said base adjacent to its opposite end7 said terminals eaoh having a contact surface, clips on the opposite ends of said terminals, two fuses connecting resl'iectively the two pairs of terminals on oneside ot' said block, 'two spring' conductors adapted to connect respectively clips on the other pairs of terminals, a removable connector having two insulated conductors each in ei'igagement withtwo different Contact surfaces on the terminals of the first series, and a removable test circuit plug having two terminals insulated from one another and engaging `the Contact surfaces on the terminals ottime second series to which said spring conductors are adapted to be connected.

lll. In a device of the character described, the combination oit." an insulating base, a tiret .series of four terminals mounted thereon adjacent lo one end thereof, a second fairies of four terminals mounted on said hase adjacent to its opposite end, said terminals each having a contact surface, clips on the opposite ends ot' said terminals, two

' fuses connectingA respectively the two pairs ol terminals on one side of said block, two spring conductors adapted to connect respectively clips on the other pairs ot terminals, a remmahlo connector having twok insulatedl conductors each in engagement with two dillercnt contact surfaces on the terminals ot' the first series, and a removable test circuit plug having r two terminals insulated t'rom one another and engaging the Contact surfaces on the terminals ot the second yseries to which said spring conductors are adapted to be connected, and a meter having 'four terminals connected respectively to clips on said four second series terminals.

j GRANVILLE E. PALMER,

Witnesses:

laminat S. Jamas, 1m M. HUrzzztnn. 

